Pink Caravan Aims To Conduct 10,000 Breast Cancer Screenings By End October

Total Of 7500 Screenings Already Carried Out

Statistics released by Friends of Cancer Patients (FOCP) shows that 7500 screenings have taken place as part of its Pink Caravan campaign, a humanitarian project aimed at raising community awareness about the importance of early breast cancer detection, between April and September 2011. The campaign’s aim, in recognition of international breast cancer awareness month, is to complete 10,000 screenings by the end of October.

Since its launch in April – under the patronage of HRH Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah and HH Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Wife of HRH the Ruler of Sharjah, Chairperson of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs – the Pink Caravan’s medical team has screened approximately 4300 women and 3200 men nationwide in an effort to emphasize the importance of early detection. The number of mobile clinics for initial examination has also risen to 96 clinics till end of September 2011.

In addition, as part of its overall strategy, the Pink Caravan has hosted numerous lectures – delivered by members of its professional medical team – to help raise awareness. The lectures, which have attracted over 9000 attendees to date, have received positive responses from the health sector, social communities, as well as the media.

Speaking on the occasion, HE Ameera Bin Karam, President of the Board of Trustees and Founding Member in FOCP, said: “I would like to express my gratitude for the overwhelming and enthusiastic response we have received to date, and the ability of the professional medical team in accommodating the large number of applicants and conducting detailed examinations and spreading awareness.

“While we have reached a great number of men and women through this campaign, we are striving to complete 10,000 early detection screenings by end of October 2011. In order to achieve this we have carefully selected the locations of our clinics, in accordance with a comprehensive study, to cover not only government and private departments and institutions, but also schools, hotels, shopping malls, penal and correctional institutions across both densely populated and remote areas.”

As part of its overall strategy, and in response to the tremendous response received, FOCP has been working on establishing a cancer registry within the UAE, which will allow health professionals to follow up on the health of cancer patients and provide them with highest standards of healthcare, in line with the wise directives of the UAE’s leaders.

Added Bin Karam: “It is with great pride that I’d like to announce that we are amid achieving yet another goal: the preparation of a cancer register for nationals and expatriates, which will elevate the health standards in our country benchmarking us in line with the highest international levels”.

To reach its target, the Pink Caravan is organizing various activities throughout October. Activities will take place at various venues across the emirates, including: Al Hosn University, Yas Hotel, the western part of Al Ain Municipality in Abu Dhabi, Women Higher Colleges of Technologies, Al Futtaim Centre, Dr Oras Habib Clinic in Sharjah, Wild Wadi, British Bank in Duabi, Ajman Educational Zone, Umm Al Momenin Women Society in Ajman, Hilton Hotel in Ras Al Khaimah and Al Madinah Health Centre in Fujairah.
 

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